Why We Say “No”: The Data Behind Our 12% Bike Rejection Rate

For years, we operated under a logical assumption: people come to Alberta Bike Swap primarily because they are worried about bike theft. It makes sense—bike theft is a massive issue in our cities, and our serial number checking is a cornerstone of what we do.

However, we recently took a look at our internal data and survey results, and the truth surprised us.

While theft is a concern, the #1 reason you trust us isn’t just the chain of ownership—it’s the Mechanical Safety Check.

Our Gatekeeper Philosophy

Every single bike that enters our events undergoes a safety inspection. We aren’t just looking for shiny paint; we are looking for structural integrity. On average, we have a 12% rejection rate. That means 1 out of every 8 or 9 bikes brought to us is deemed unfit for the road.

Small Fixes vs. Deal Breakers

We aren’t gear snobs. We want people on bikes! That’s why we always have a professional bike shop on-site at our events. If a bike has low tire pressure or a slightly loose bottom bracket, the shop can often tune it up on the spot (provided the part isn’t completely worn out).

But then, there are the Deal Breakers.

The Scary Stuff We’ve Seen

We reject bikes for a reason. Our technicians have flagged major safety hazards that the average buyer might miss:

• Hairline cracks in the frame that could lead to a catastrophic failure. (these came from a used bike shop…)

• Pedals literally GLUED into the crank arms because the threads were stripped.

• Warped forks from previous front-end collisions.

The most unsettling part? After we reject these bikes and explain why they are dangerous, we’ve seen them pop up for sale online or back on the floor of a certain used bike shop just days later.

Safety is a Two-Way Street

A safe bike is only half the battle; a safe rider is the other. We believe in legitimate, standardized cycling education. This is why we advocate for CAN-BIKE.

In a class all by itself of made-up qualifications and unverified expert advice that passes as cycling education where one charity can gets all the funding. But, CAN-BIKE remains the gold standard for cycling education in Canada. We want you to be safe on a good bike, equipped with the best possible skills.

Our Promise to You

Our priorities have shifted based on what the data tells us, but our goal remains exactly the same: Getting you on a safe, reliable bike. If a bike passes our safety check, you should still get it thoroughly checked at a bike shop because though it’ll be safe to ride, our techs have not done a 99 point check. If a bike doesn’t pass our safety check, we’ve potentially saved a rider from a very bad day.

Planning to buy or sell this season? Check https://albertabikeswap.ca/ for the next swap near you, and remember: if you’re looking to sharpen your skills, think about becoming a CAN-BIKE certified instructor.